Errors in a trauma registry database cause invalid frequencies, rates, time estimates and statistical measures and affect QA/PI in trauma care. Every functioning trauma registry should develop an on-going program for DV.
The study evaluates (1) health care provider perception of the Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC); (2) improvement in acute trauma emergency care knowledge; and (3) early transfer of trauma patients from rural emergency departments (EDs) to a verified trauma center. A 1-day, 8-hour RTTDC was given to 101 nurses and other health care providers from nine rural community hospitals from 2011 to 2013. RTTDC participants completed questionnaires to address objectives (1) and (2). ED and trauma registry data were queried to achieve objective (3) for assessing reduction in ED time (EDT), from patient arrival to decision to transfer and ED length of stay (LOS). The RTTDC was positively perceived by health care providers (96.3% of them completed the program). Significant improvement in 13 of the 19 knowledge items was observed in nurses. Education intervention was an independent predictor in reducing EDT by 28 minutes and 95% confidence interval (CI) [-57, -0.1] at 6 months post-RTTDC, and 29 minutes and 95% CI [-53, -6] at 12 months post-RTTDC. Similar results were observed with ED LOS. The RTTDC is well-perceived as an education program. It improves acute trauma emergency care knowledge in rural health care providers. It promotes early transfer of severely injured patients to a higher level of care.
ObjectivesRecent studies using advanced statistical methods to control for confounders have demonstrated an association between helicopter transport (HT) versus ground ambulance transport (GT) in terms of improved survival for adult trauma patients. The aim of this study was to apply a methodologically vigorous approach to determine if HT is associated with a survival benefit for when trauma patients are transported to a verified trauma center in a rural setting.MethodsThe ascertainment of trauma patients age ≥ 15 years (n = 469 cases) by HT and (n = 580 cases) by GT between 1999 and 2012 was restricted to the scene of injury in a rural area of 10 to 35 miles from the trauma center. The propensity score (PS) was determined using data including demographics, prehospital physiology, intubation, total prehospital time, and injury severity. The PS matching was performed with different calipers to select a higher percentage of matches of HT compared to GT patients. The outcome of interest was survival to discharge from hospital. Identical logistic regression analysis was done taking into account for each matched design to select an appropriate effect estimate and confidence interval (CI) controlling for initial vital signs in the emergency department, the need for urgent surgery, intensive care unit admission, and mechanical ventilation.ResultsUnadjusted mortalities for HT compared to GT were 7.7 and 5.3%, respectively (p > 0.05). The adjusted rates were 4.0% for HT and 7.6% for GT (p < 0.05). In a PS well‐matched data set, HT was associated with a 2.69‐fold increase in odds of survival compared to GT patients (adjusted odds ratio = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.21–5.97).ConclusionsIn a rural setting, we demonstrated improved survival associated with HT compared to GT for scene transportation of adult trauma patients to a verified Level II trauma center using an advanced methodologic approach, which included adjustment for transport distance. The implication of survival benefit to rural population is discussed. We recommend larger studies with multiple trauma systems need to be repeated using similar study methodology to substantiate our findings.
Background: There is a need for appropriate pain control in the geriatric hip fracture population to prevent diminished function, increased mortality, and opioid dependence. Multimodal pain therapy is one method for reducing pain postoperatively while also decreasing opioid use in the geriatric hip fracture patient. This study aimed to determine whether multimodal pain therapy could decrease opioid use without increasing pain scores in surgical geriatric hip fracture patients. Methods: This was a before-and-after cohort study. The hospital implemented multimodal pain control order sets with a standardized pain regimen and performed retrospective chart review pre- and postorder set implementation for analysis. Results: A total of 248 patients were enrolled in the study: 131 in the preorder set group and 117 in the postorder set group. The mean postoperative oral morphine equivalent (OME) was significantly lower in the postorder set group than in the preorder set group (45.1 mg vs. 63.4 mg, respectively, p = .03). Compared with the preorder set group, total OME and postoperative OME were decreased by 22.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] −44.9, −3.8), 1-tailed p < .01, and 53.6% (95% CI −103.4, −16.1), 1-tailed p <.01 respectively, in the postorder set group. There was not a statistically significant difference in mean pain scores at 6, 24, and 48 hr postoperatively (p = .53, .10, and .99), respectively. Conclusion: Implementing a multimodal approach to pain management may help reduce opioid use and may be a critical maneuver in averting the national opioid epidemic.
Background: Over the last decade, the United States has witnessed an increase in mass casualty incidents (MCIs). The outcome of an MCI depends upon hospital preparedness, yet many hospitals are unfamiliar with their facility MCI procedure. Educational training drills may be one method to improve staff knowledge of policy and procedure. Objective: This study aimed to improve knowledge gained through educational MCI mini drills of institutional mass casualty policy and procedure in surgery department staff at a level II trauma center. Methods: A pre-/posttest design was utilized. The hospital implemented MCI mini training drills as a quality improvement project using Plan-Do-Study-Act iterative cycles with prospective data collection. Knowledge scores were measured using a 12-item surgery department MCI policy and procedure questionnaire that was developed by the author and leadership. Results: A one-way analysis of covariance analysis in participants that mini drilled more than once indicated significant effect on mean cycle score differences among three cycles F (2,21) = 12.96, p = .00. Multiple comparison using Games–Howell indicated the mean score for Cycle 4 (M = 96.15, SD = 6.54) was significantly different from Cycle 3 (M = 59.71, SD = 25.15). Gender, shift, and credentials of participants influenced knowledge improvement. Conclusion: Implementation of hospital MCI mini drills improved staff knowledge of institutional mass casualty policy and procedure in the surgery department and may be applied to surgery departments with similar policy, procedure, and participant characteristics. Hospital mass casualty response education and preparation is essential to saving lives.
The objectives of the study were to determine helmet use rates, incidence rates (IRs) of head and facial injuries for population attributable fraction (PAF) estimation, and to elucidate the magnitude of and changes in PAFs as the result of helmet use changes among preschool children. A study consisting of cross-sectional (survey) and longitudinal (follow-up) component was designed by including a randomly selected group of participants (n = 322) from 10 Head Start sites provided with free bicycle helmets along with a subgroup of prior helmet owners (n = 68) from the other random group (n = 285). All participants received bicycle helmet education. Helmet use surveys were conducted in May (1<sup>st</sup> Survey) and November 2008 (2<sup>nd</sup> Survey). The helmet owners were followed up to determine IRs, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for head and facial injuries. PAFs were computed using IRs as well as helmet use rates and IRRs. Helmet use rates increased significantly from the 1<sup>st</sup> to the 2<sup>nd</sup> Survey. The mean follow-up person-time was 5 months. The IRs for head, face (all portions), and face (upper/mid portions) injuries were higher in non-helmeted than helmeted riders. By using IRs, PAFs for the 3 injuries among the riders in both groups of helmet owners were 77%, 22%, and 32% respectively. The PAFs for each of the above injuries decreased by about 10% as helmet use rates increased. The magnitude of and changes in preventable head and facial injuries following free bicycle helmet distribution and education among helmeted riders was elucidated in this Head Start preschool children population
Background/Objective: Distracted driving due to cellphone use can lead to serious and fatal consequences. In 2017, an estimated 14% of all distraction-affected fatal crashes in the U.S. were related to the driver’s cellphone use. Many states have passed distracted driving laws to help reduce the number of unfortunate outcomes related to a driver’s cellphone use. It is important to evaluate whether these laws are truly effective at building safer roads. The main objective of this proposed study is to execute a systematic review of literature published in the last 20 years in order to further the understanding of how distracted driving laws affect drivers’ cellphone usage and its associated outcomes. Proposed Methods: A systematic review will be conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement established by Moher et al. The various steps that will be taken to properly select and analyze articles include eligibility criteria, information sources and search strategy, study selection, evaluation of selected articles, data collection, and summary measures. Expected Results: After implementing the various steps from the PRISMA statement, certain articles will be selected to fulfill the research objective. It is expected that most of the publications selected for this systematic review will be in support of distracted driving laws. It is also expected that these laws are in fact effective at reducing drivers’ cellphone use and various negative outcomes, such as crashes. Conclusions/Potential Impact: A systematic review will be completed utilizing the proposed protocol written in the summer of 2020. If needed, additional details and changes will be applied to the protocol before the study officially begins. This systematic review may help us gain an understanding of the effects of distracted driving laws, which may impact the approach to creating future policies and interventions intended to promote safer driving roads.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.